POT PERFECTION

If you are looking for a timeless addition to your christmas home, consider adding hand made pots from Gysinge instead of mass produced knick knacks. Available in four colours equally perfect for Christmas as well as seasonal blooms around the year. The perfect gift to a friend as well. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE GYSINGE BYGGNADSVÅRD

GOOD NIGHT MOON

Much like the Chinese I name each year after an animal. Well,sort of, I name it after a room...or a project area.

2017 is the year of the bedroom. This is the year we'll establish better bedtime routines, ban late night netsurfing, upgrade bed linen and bedding, get cozy sleep wear and in short: sleep well every night and wake up rested and bright every morning.

One can at least dream, no?

Above, muted tones and timeless design from Åhlens, which I am considering for the children's room. But it might be the 2013 fall catalogue from Mille Notti that will be my style guide on the journey towards a bedroom where good sleep abides.
IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGE ÅHLENS; (ABISKO)

POT LUCK

Few objects can blend well in a range of interior design styles and time periods, When I'm lucky enough to find one that would look great in rustic, classic and modern settings it goes straight to my wish list as well as my secret gift-list. This new favorite might host a small skinny fir tree this winter, then flowering bulbs in spring, and herbs during summer.

Ceramic urn in three sizes by Ernst Kirchsteiger available from Åhlens, Inreda.com, royaldesign.no and many other retailers.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE INREDA.COM 

READY TO WEAR FOR YOUR WALLS

Sofia Magnusson, the entrepreneur behind The Folklore Company wanted to combine her appreciation for traditional folklore decorating with a modern lifestyle. She created a web application where you can design your own embroidered wall hanging and have it ready made and delivered! 

I was impressed that they also offer the option of turning your design into a DIY kit. That shows respect for the original craft and handmade creations, earning them bonus points from me. 

And then I found the sample wall hanging above... Ha! It's like they know me... 

A global site is in the makings, so stay tuned folks. 

IMAGE: SAMPLE IMAGE, THE FOLKLORE COMPANY, USED WITH PERMISSION 

STABLE DWELLER

Design duo Bengt och Lotta always find the right balance between naive folklore and modern graphics. A personal favourite is candle holder Häst, available from Designonline among others.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE DESIGNONLINE

LA TABLE

IMAGE: MATEUS CERAMICS

A TALL ORDER

We live in small quarters, but with a large family and good neighbours there are plenty of occasions to invite people over for a Swedish fika. I've been looking for a tiered stand to serve many while leaving plenty of room on counters and tables for hot drinks and more snacks. This one from Bruka Design is best in show so far. You can take it apart between uses, so it stores easily. Pretty enough for a party, casual enough for a family gathering.

Now, if they would just make the rod in two sizes, so I could choose how high I want to stack my baked goods (a.k.a how much time I used sleeping the night before instead of baking) it would be a definite winner.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BRUKA DESIGN, USED WITH PERMISSION

COZY TOES

I have always loved my Tretorn rubber boots. At times I've tried other brands, both Finnish and British, but nothing beats the Tretorn fit on me feet. Their first factory opened in 1891, and the company now offers rain gear and shoes.

Since I bought my latest pair while pregnant, I have the Scout boot. Very sensible, practical, adjustable and easy to put on and take off. No longer in that "blessed" condition, I have started eyeing their cuter options, such as the model Nicole, above, or the zippered Lady.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ZAPPOS.COM

ATTENTION BAG LADIES

Every three years or so, a new IT-bag graces the shoulders of young women in Stockholm, usually corresponding to the opening of a new luxury brand store. The current craze is sure to pass quickly as the bag is impractical, uncomfortable, and wears out quickly despite the hefty price tag.  

Palmgrens have been providing excellent leather goods since its founding year 1896. No dangling metal logos, no frills, just simple elegance and craftsmanship. Worldwide shipping. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE PALMGRENS.SE

LEAN ON ME

I'm guessing this is the brain child of a tall person. Our present couches were purchased pre-marriage by petite moi, and tagged along into our common quarters. Comfortable in many ways, but my (tall) husband lacks some neck support from time to time. I imagine these leather pillows will only get more comfortable with use over the years. Produced and sold by Norrgavel. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NORRGAVEL

THIS IS THE CASE

This is a great design for a throw pillow. It's linear but asymmetric and offsets other patterns more subtly than stripes or checks. Hegum by Sofie Sjöstrand, available from Designonline.
IMAGE: DESIGNONLINE

HMMMM.

Sometimes you come across objects that you can't decide whether you like or not. This is one of those for me. I kind of like it and kind of hate it at the same time. Lamp GAVIK from IKEA. 

IMAGE: IKEA

NO NEED TO ARGUE

Since I'm an herbal tea drinker of extraordinary proportions, I usually have a tea mug, ehm, make that a few forgotten tea mugs, placed around the house. Since this has been the season of insane colds my husband has taken to hot honey and ginger concoctions, resulting in a frequent " is this yours or mine" interrogations as we find white mugs around the house. This year I'll add a pink one to our Swedish Grace accumulations that will be all mine. 

IMAGE: RÖRSTRAND 

AF SWEDALA

One of the newcomers on the Swedish design market is af Swedala who combine folklore inspirations with an urban colour palette into family friendly home goods. I found them while hunting for new sheets, but their sizes didn't fit our bed. Instead, I fell in love with their beautifully wrapped soaps. Bonus points for the complimentary shipping (within Sweden) in their webshop.

View their latest catalogue here, but be warned, it may convince you (as it did me) that you've always wanted to live in a renovated barn, surrounded by children and great lamps.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE  BY PATRIK HAGBORG, USED WITH PERMISSION

OLD SCHOOL

It's been more than a decade since we celebrated the arrival of the new millennium. Unbelievable. Today I penciled in the first notes and appointments for 2013 in my new day planner. Yup, I'm old school like that. The planning has yet not been digitilized in this household. 

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE BOOKBINDERS DESIGN

SAY CHEESE!

Swedish hard cheeses are exported even to Guide Michelin restaurants in France, and is one of the few foods I truly miss. What I don't miss is the sticky plastic bags and cyran wraps every morning as you prepare breakfast. Someone at Sagaform must have been equally fed up and voilá: a simple design in oak and acrylic. Thank you.
IMAGE: SAGAFORM VIA TOREBRINGS

MAYBE MAYA

Turns out that although the linen closet spills over with table linens (and although a gray one is already on the wishlist) I feel a strong desire to acquire a red table cloth for christmas. I blame this beauty of beauties, Maya from Himla, in 100% linen.
IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER

SERIOUS OFF-SEASON POTENTIAL

This is the best non-designer/high street brand adventsstake this year. You need to see beyond this boring image by imagining some moss, pinecones, florals or tiny toadstools. Would look equally great in a country setting and an urban home.The beauty of this one is that it can be filled with oasis and used during the rest of the year as centerpiece, something few christmas items can pull off...

Half price off in the webshop right now.  

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE HEMTEX

GOOD THINKING

I can count the number of times I've shopped at Hemtex in my lifetime on one hand. But then they go and do something like this, and make me want to run to their stores. A limited edition collaboration with Design House Stockholm resulting in designer items on the cheap. Vase Bubblan is available in 2 sizes and 4 nuances.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE HEMTEX

BEST GIFT SHOP!

Source mass produced items for the home, give them random names and sell cheap in droves. You'd think it was a sibling to IKEA, but stylewise Oscar & Clothilde is far from it. Their items lack the genuine history of antiques, but the buyers have a knack for finding the "next to best" at good prices. Free shipping (Sweden)  in their webshop. Well worth a browsing, particularly if you're looking for a gift with personality to it.
Shown here: Bowl Plommon,  Box Amalienborg, Cup and saucer Desaix.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGES OSCAR & CLOTHILDE